BoofWang AR-5RM

[WRXR255]

Was interested in the GRMS specific UV-5G+, and went poking around Amazon yesterday.  So, sounded like something to get to "upgrade" from my bagfull of UV-5R's. BF-F8+'s, and UV-5X3's.

Around 35 dollhairs its a darn cheap HT, but poking around more I discovered what appeared to be the same radio, the AR-5RM, at 28 dollhairs.

Best I can tell its basically the same radio but its "unlocked", as the term goes. 

So, ordered it yesterday and was on my doorstep today, and for a update of basically the UV-5R, i am liking it.

One weirdness is CHIRP, and  have the latest version but the 5RM coding is still experimental, so its to be expected i guess.

Radio has 999 channels, but in a change from any BoofWangs i know to date is its memory slots start at 1 instead of 0, but has 1000 positions showing on download.

I can save to slot 1000, upload it fine, but it of course just ignores it if i try to scroll through it on the radio after upload.

Can save the file fine to open up with CHIRP, but it will actually tell me its wrong if i try to export it as a CSV.

Otherwise until CHIRP gets the coding for this out of experimental, and it works and im not bashing CHIRP, im liking it.

 

[Socalgmrs]

Glad you like it.   What ever works for you and gets you on the air.  I love all my radios $20-$500.    Just steer clear of midland/retivis. Hahah

[WRYZ926]

The Baofeng hand held radios definitely have their place. They work and are cheap enough to get new GMRS and amateur license holders on the air without breaking the bank.

[Davichko5650]

On 4/27/2024 at 11:01 PM, WRXP381 said:

Glad you like it.   What ever works for you and gets you on the air.  I love all my radios $20-$500.    Just steer clear of midland/retivis. Hahah

The MIdland I get being the owner of the reasonably crappy MXT275 (older version, no split tones just when I started using repeaters) But have been mulling over the Retevis RA87 vs the Radddddioity Da40. More budget friendly at this time that a Wuoxun 1000.  What's the story one these two?

[Socalgmrs]

36 minutes ago, Davichko5650 said:

The MIdland I get being the owner of the reasonably crappy MXT275 (older version, no split tones just when I started using repeaters) But have been mulling over the Retevis RA87 vs the Radddddioity Da40. More budget friendly at this time that a Wuoxun 1000.  What's the story one these two?

Personally I have known many people that have retivis and I wouldn’t touch one with a 10’pole.  But that’s just me.  I don’t have and don’t know any one with a radioditty of any kind so I can’t say.   I can say the kg1000 is a very good radio but it’s way out of my budget.  I get along fine with 20w tyt 8600s in the trucks.  But I need the water proof ability.   They get abused, run and dirt roads all day in old harsh trucks, windows get left open in the sun heat and cold rain and snow.  Remember also antennas are your friend. 

[Davichko5650]

On 5/9/2024 at 5:43 PM, WRXP381 said:

Personally I have known many people that have retivis and I wouldn’t touch one with a 10’pole.  But that’s just me.  I don’t have and don’t know any one with a radioditty of any kind so I can’t say.   I can say the kg1000 is a very good radio but it’s way out of my budget.  I get along fine with 20w tyt 8600s in the trucks.  But I need the water proof ability.   They get abused, run and dirt roads all day in old harsh trucks, windows get left open in the sun heat and cold rain and snow.  Remember also antennas are your friend. 

I did go ahead and get the Retevis RA87 - works pretty well, okay Chinglish manual, but pretty intuitive to program on the radio. Much easier with the software on the laptop. Might go ahead and pull the trigger on the DB40 to compare the 2 since ORX hasn't seen fit to do a comparo for us on YootOob yet. If I do, which ever one I prefer or performs better will go in the mobile, the other will be put in the shack for base use.

So far, better RX and TX than the DB20 the RA87 replaced, a function on TX side of more power?  But seems to have a better receiver than the DB20

I drive around with 3 friends it seems then, having the MXTA26 and a Comet 2m/70cm and a Yaesu ATAS120A on the truck.  MXTA is on a mag mount, the other two on diamond K400 mounts.

[Davichko5650]

On 4/27/2024 at 8:46 PM, WRXR255 said:

 

 

Otherwise until CHIRP gets the coding for this out of experimental, and it works and im not bashing CHIRP, im liking it.

 

It looks to be listed in the Baofeng area on the Odmaster App. I found the best $22 I've spent of late was the TIDRadio bluetooth dongle, makes field programming of Baofengs a breeze with the Odmaster app!  Waiting for them to get the Beta for the Radioddity GM30 worked out to try that as well, although the CPS software from them was a snap to use.  Basic difference between Chirp and using Odmaster is that Chirp displays all the data where with Odmaster, you have to open each channel's info one by one.  But not having to lug around a laptop makes up for that.